Up In Vapors

By Minza Khan

Published: April 1, 2014

Smoking of any kind is banned in parks and enclosed spaces, but that’s not keeping electronic cigarette shops from converting die-hard smokers into “vaporers.” E-cigs, also known as vaporizers, look similar to cigarettes in shape and size, but they don’t contain tobacco or require a flame to light them. Instead, the devices are activated by heating up liquid nicotine, which is done usually with an atomizer powered by a lithium battery. Since they lack the smoky smell of tobacco and the trail of harmful chemicals like tar and carbon monoxide, they’re said to be a healthier alternative. There are questions as to what the long-term effects could be; still, this trend doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon.